Zinpro Corporation sponsors young scholar recognition program
Three student scientists - Rodrigo da Silva Marques, Amy Abrams, and Stacia Prosser - were recently honored as Young Scholars during the 2016 Western Section Young Scholar Recognition (YSR) program, sponsored by Zinpro Corporation. The awards were presented in conjunction with the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science (WSASAS) meeting held in Salt Lake City, Utah. As award recipients, each received a plaque, a monetary award and an invitation to present their research findings at the meeting.
"We congratulate these students on the impressive research they have accomplished, and we look forward to seeing more findings from them in the future," said Connie Larson, Ph.D., Research and Nutritional Services ruminant manager - North America, Zinpro Corporation. "High-quality animal science research is very much in demand, and the quality of the research, as demonstrated by these young scientists, will be invaluable to the industry in years to come."
Sponsored by Zinpro Corporation, the WSASAS Young Scholar Recognition Program was established in 2013 to acknowledge the research accomplishments by doctoral and master's degree students. The recognition program is also designed to increase participation in the WSASAS meetings by showcasing exceptional and contemporary research from talented, young scientists.
Doctoral Award Recipient
Rodrigo da Silva Marques is pursuing a doctoral degree at Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, with research focused on nutrition management for gestating beef cows and its impact on offspring performance. He earned his master's degree in animal science at the University of Sao Paulo - ESALQ/USP, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and a bachelor's degree in animal science from Sao Paulo State University (UNESP-Dracena), Brazil.
Marques has authored or co-authored 18 published articles, two book chapters, nine proceedings papers, 20 professional meeting abstracts, nine research reports, and seven popular press articles. In 2014, he received the first and second place Applied Animal Research Awards at the WSASAS meeting. In 2015, he received a second place award. Upon graduation, Marques' goal is to work as a professor or research scientist to develop technologies that enhance beef production.
Master's Award Recipients
Amy Abrams, a native of Newcastle, California, is pursuing a master's degree in animal science at the University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming. She earned her bachelor's degree in animal science from California State University, Chico, California, and an associate's degree in agriculture and technology from Lassen Community College, Susanville, California. Her master's degree research has focused primarily on rumen microbiomes and the role they play in livestock that drink high-sulfate water, a problem frequently encountered by western U.S. livestock producers.
In addition to her research, Adams is active as a teaching assistant for courses within the animal science department and across campus. She has been accepted into a doctoral program in animal science at South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, where she will continue to teach and conduct research.
Stacia Prosser earned her master's degree in animal science, with a minor in molecular cell biology at New Mexico State University (NMSU), Las Cruces, New Mexico, where she also is currently pursuing her doctoral degree. Prosser earned her bachelor's degree at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut. Her current research focuses on
investigating the physiological role of
a specific signaling protein, and its receptor, on placental development during early gestation. Knowledge gained from this research regarding communication between fetal and maternal tissues may contribute to developing methods to prevent early embryonic loss.
While earning her master's degree, Prosser was proactive in representing the interests and concerns of her peers as secretary and president of the Animal and Range Sciences Graduate Student Association. Additionally, she served as farm tour coordinator for the Department of Animal and Range Sciences at NMSU.
As the industry leader in trace mineral nutrition for livestock and poultry, Zinpro is committed to delivering the technical expertise, products and educational tools needed to help customers improve the performance and profitability of their operations.
